FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

November 25, 2024

 Pallone Marks Final Phase of Port Monmouth Flood Project, 12 Years After Sandy 

 Port Monmouth, NJ –  Twelve years after Superstorm Sandy devastated Port Monmouth, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. returned today to launch the final phase of the Port Monmouth Storm Risk Reduction Project. 

 Joined by representatives from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), Pallone reflected on the progress made and the federal investments driving it. “This project began as a promise after Sandy—to rebuild smarter, stronger, and protect our communities from climate change,” said Pallone. “With this final phase underway, Port Monmouth will finally have the protection it needs for the future. This is a model for how the federal government can partner with local communities to safeguard our coastline.”

The $61.8 million phase includes floodwalls along Highway 36, drainage systems, levees, and road closure gates along Compton Creek between Campbell Avenue and Broadway. These improvements are designed to protect homes, businesses, and infrastructure from storm surges and rising sea levels.

Pallone, instrumental in securing funding through the Disaster Relief Appropriations Act of 2013, highlighted the personal impact of the project. “It’s impossible to forget the destruction Sandy brought here,” Pallone said. “This isn’t just about flood protection—it’s about restoring security to the Bayshore and ensuring families and businesses don’t live in fear of the next storm.”

The project, part of a broader effort to improve New Jersey’s coastal resilience, is fully funded by the USACE and expected to be completed in 2028. When finished, it will include extensive beachfill, wetlands mitigation, tide gates, concrete floodwalls, raised roads, and interior drainage improvements to manage heavy rainfall and storm surges. 

Today’s milestone underscores the importance of federal investments in confronting the realities of climate change and protecting New Jersey’s coastline. 

 “This contract award represents our ongoing commitment to safeguarding coastal communities against the increasing threat of severe weather events,” said Colonel Alex Young, Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, New York District. "Partnering with a capable small business underscores our dedication to supporting local enterprises while delivering essential flood risk management solutions." “Today marks a historic step for climate resilience efforts in New Jersey,” Commissioner LaTourette said. “We are deeply grateful to our partners at the Army Corps of Engineers and our Congressional delegation for their commitment to the completion of this project. More than a decade in the making, this project provides valuable community flood protection against future storms and sea-level rise, while enhancing and protecting the Raritan Bay shorelines and marsh systems that provide critical wildlife habitat and recreational opportunities. I am proud to join Congressman Pallone and Colonel Young to celebrate the award of this contract that will enhance climate resilience, create jobs and secure a stronger future for Port Monmouth.”

Why Is This News? "Middletown Flood Gates Turned On As High Tide Looms"

Why is it newsworthy everytime someone does their job to make sure that the Port Monmouth flood gates are closed prior to an event that has the potential to flood the streets and homes of residents? I'll tell you why, because the Township is often negligent of its duties. So, when the Patch has to post an article titled "Middletown Flood Gates Turned On As High Tide Looms", for the purpose of letting residents in the area know that the flood gates will actual be closed and they can breath a sigh of relief, it becomes newsworthy because often the flood gates are left open.

At last month's LWV Candidate Forum between Tony Perry and myself, Perry blamed the NJDEP for not getting the gates closed. Perry took no responsibility whatsoever for past failures that caused mass flooding in the area that has lead to property damage to residences. He stated that the Township isn't responsible for the operation of the gates, that the NJDEP is. To me and many others, that is unacceptable.

As acting mayor, Perry has a responsibility to make sure the Township is proactive in ensuring that those flood gates get closed when needed. Whether it is the responsibility of Township Administrator, Tony Mercantante, Director of Public Works, Ted Maloney, or Perry himself, someone needs to make sure those flood gates get closed by proactively making a call. Simply blaming the NJDEP is just passing the buck!

Or how about this, if the NJDEP is in total control of activating the flood gates during times of potential flooding that would be caused by an extreme weather incident or full moon, why not take the responsibility of closing the gates away from the NJDEP? Why not take on the responsibility yourself to ensure that residents don't need to worry about their homes, cars or other property becoming a casualty of Mother Nature? A casualty mind you, that is preventable with a little foresight and effort on the part of our governing body.      

    

11/18/24: Middletown Township Committee Regular Meeting

 Hey Middletown, take a look at your Township Committee in action. Once all the pomp and circumstance was over the actual business of our governing body was completed in 15 minutes so there should be no excuses for not tuning in and seeing your tax dollars at work. 

So what took place during the 15 minutes of actual business at this month's Township Committee meeting?

There were Public Hearings of 4 proposed ordinances that no one from the public cared to address so they passed without issue (see below): 

• 2024-3436 Ordinance Amending Ordinance No. 2024-3429 Setting Salaries For Non-Contractual Employees For 2024-2025 
• 2024-3437 Bond Ordinance Providing An Appropriation Of $3,571,000 For Various Capital Improvements By And For The Township Of Middletown In The County Of Monmouth, New Jersey And Authorizing The Issuance Of $3,392,450 In Bonds Or Notes Of The Township For Financing Part Of The Appropriation. 
• 2024-3438 Bond Ordinance Providing An Appropriation Of $4,491,000 For Various Park Improvements By And For The Township Of Middletown In The County Of Monmouth, New Jersey And Authorizing The Issuance Of $3,704,050 In Bonds Or Notes Of The Township For Financing Part Of The Appropriation 
• 2024-3439 Ordinance Amending And Supplementing Chapter 423 Of The Code Of The Township Of Middletown Governing Stormwater Regulations To Include Article VII Privately-Owned Salt Storage Requirements As Required By State Law 

And there were the introduction of  several other proposed ordinances that are scheduled for public hearing at the December 2nd meeting of the Township Committee (see below):  

• 2024-3441 Bond Ordinance Amending And Restating Ordinance 2024-3434 By Providing An Appropriation Of $2,100,000 For Acquisition Of Property By And For The Township Of Middletown In The County Of Monmouth, New Jersey And Authorizing The Issuance Of $1,995,000 In Bonds Or Notes Of The Township For Financing Part Of The Appropriation 
• 2024-3442 Ordinance Authorizing Acceptance Of Declaration Of Restrictive And Protective Covenants For Stormwater Maintenance And Various Related Deed Of Easements Over Portions Of Block 720, Lots 4.01, 4.02, 4.03, 4.04 And 4.05 (Atlantic Avenue) 
• 2024-3443 Ordinance Amending The Code Of The Township Of Middletown Governing Smoke And Vape Shops And The Sale Of Vaping And Smoking Products And Paraphernalia In Business Establishments 
• 2024-3444 Ordinance Establishing Mixed Use Development Standards for Affordable Housing 
• 2024-3445 Ordinance Amending § 240-23 Of The Code Of The Township Of Middletown Establishing Fee For Carfax Accident Reports

After Committee Comments, no one from the public wished to address any concerns so the meeting was adjourned after 37 minutes. 

As always, you can download a copy of the meeting agenda that contains the discussion items and the proposed resolutions and ordinances that were voted on or presented during the meeting.

Responding to Anonymous

 I received the following comment from a Middletown resident concerning My Statement On The Results of The 2024 Election in a previous post. I thought the comment was worth sharing here with everyone because it was both respectful and thoughtful. People need to engage more civilly each other and tone down the hostilities when expressing their ideas or opinions that run counter with other:

Anonymous, November 9th 2024 at 8:34 PM:

 Thank you for caring about our community, and for offering your service. I did not vote for you, being very pleased with the job Tony Perry has done serving as our mayor. I do wish you well in future endeavors.

I would like to say, however, that some of the issues you mentioned are NOT unique to Middletown, nor are they all to the credit or blame of our leaders. Housing is NOT affordable in most places in New Jersey. This is a very expensive place to live, and with raging inflation in the past few years, it has become MORE expensive and out of the reach of many. But the remedy suggested of building more "affordable" housing on our limited footprint of available spaces is perhaps the least desirable solution. More overcrowding on our roads, in our schools, and overtaxing our infrastructure? Loss of what little open spaces we have? No thank you. Most residents moved here or stayed here because they like the character of this town. Turning it into a crowded city is not a solution that is palatable to Middletowners.

Nor is social engineering that turns our town into a very different place. I hope our mayor and council will focus on keeping costs in control, minimizing need for budget busting tax increases, while continuing to deliver essential services to people who bought in here months, years or decades ago, to enjoy the lifestyle Middletown offered. Not everyone can afford to live in every town in NJ. Thats a fact of life. As with EVERY SINGLE SUBURBAN TOWN, some can afford to live here, others cannot and might have to live elsewhere. Just like everything else in life.

Here is my response:

Thank you for your thoughtful comment. I appreciate you taking the time to share your views, even if we don’t see eye-to-eye on everything. Open conversations like this help us understand each other and make our community better.

You’re right that affordability is a big issue across New Jersey, not just here in Middletown. The rising cost of living has made it tough for many families, and while local leaders can’t fix everything, they do have a role in managing how our town deals with these challenges.

I understand your concerns about affordable housing. No one wants to see our roads clogged, schools overcrowded, or open spaces disappear. But adding affordable housing doesn’t have to mean sacrificing what makes Middletown special. With smart planning, we can find ways to grow responsibly—focusing on areas that can handle new developments and making sure infrastructure keeps up.

One important point to consider is the future of our children. Many young adults who grew up here are finding it nearly impossible to stay in the community because housing has become unattainable. Affordable housing isn’t about low-income developments; it’s about giving people—especially the next generation—the chance to attain the American dream. That means having a shot at homeownership or finding a place to live in the town they love without being priced out.

The idea that only people who can afford the current cost of living should stay in Middletown is tricky. A community thrives when it’s diverse. Teachers, first responders, young families, and seniors are all important to our town. Making it easier for them to live here isn’t about “social engineering”; it’s about keeping Middletown a place where everyone has a chance to belong.

I also agree that keeping taxes in check and managing the budget wisely are essential. No one wants unnecessary tax hikes. But we can’t cut corners on things like schools, infrastructure, and public services. If we invest wisely now, it will pay off later, helping Middletown remain a great place to live for everyone.

Thanks again for sharing your perspective. It’s clear you care deeply about our town, and I hope we can continue this conversation to find solutions that work for all of us.

My Statement On The Results of The 2024 Elecion

 First and foremost, I want to thank the people of Middletown for their engagement in this year's election. While I’m disappointed in the outcome of my campaign for Township Committee, I’m incredibly proud of the spirited race we ran. We tackled the tough issues head-on—affordable and attainable housing that allows younger generations to stay in the community they’ve grown up in, implementing Smart Growth principles in planning new neighborhoods, and addressing the deteriorating conditions of our main roads and neighborhood streets. We also focused on the lack of sidewalks throughout much of our town and the pressing need to manage traffic and congestion, which are affecting the quality of life for all residents. 

 Additionally, we cannot ignore the financial strain many of our residents are facing due to skyrocketing property taxes. The annual assessments of property values are driving these increases, leading to financial hardship for seniors on fixed incomes, working families, and young homeowners trying to establish themselves in Middletown. This is an urgent issue that demands real solutions to ensure our community remains accessible and affordable for all. 

 On the national stage, we’ve witnessed a truly historic election. While it was a hard-fought campaign, former President Donald Trump has defeated Vice President Kamala Harris to regain the White House. This result marks a pivotal moment in our country’s history and highlights the deep divisions we face. As Democrats, we must take this as an opportunity to reflect, regroup, and redouble our efforts to advance the values of fairness, inclusion, and opportunity for all.  

 To our supporters, volunteers, and everyone who believed in our campaign, thank you. Your dedication and passion are what make our community strong. 

 This election was a chapter, not the end of the story. Together, we’ll keep building a better, fairer future for our town, our state, and our nation." 

 

—Mike "MiddletownMike" Morris 

Chairman, Middletown Democratic Party
Candidate, Middletown Township Committee 2024

Happy Halloween: All Souls’ Night

Happy Halloween

 All Souls’ Night

By William Butler Yates

Midnight has come and the great Christ Church bell

And many a lesser bell sound through the room;

And it is All Souls’ Night.

And two long glasses brimmed with muscatel

Bubble upon the table. A ghost may come;

For it is a ghost’s right,

His element is so fine

Being sharpened by his death,

To drink from the wine-breath

While our gross palates drink from the whole wine.

 

I need some mind that, if the cannon sound

From every quarter of the world, can stay

Wound in mind’s pondering,

As mummies in the mummy-cloth are wound;

Because I have a marvellous thing to say,

A certain marvellous thing

None but the living mock,

Though not for sober ear;

It may be all that hear

Should laugh and weep an hour upon the clock.

 

Horton’s the first I call. He loved strange thought

And knew that sweet extremity of pride

That’s called platonic love,

And that to such a pitch of passion wrought

Nothing could bring him, when his lady died,

Anodyne for his love.

Words were but wasted breath;

One dear hope had he:

The inclemency

Of that or the next winter would be death.

 

Two thoughts were so mixed up I could not tell

Whether of her or God he thought the most,

But think that his mind’s eye,

When upward turned, on one sole image fell;

And that a slight companionable ghost,

Wild with divinity,

Had so lit up the whole

Immense miraculous house

The Bible promised us,

It seemed a gold-fish swimming in a bowl.

 

On Florence Emery I call the next,

Who finding the first wrinkles on a face

Admired and beautiful,

And by foreknowledge of the future vexed;

Diminished beauty, multiplied commonplace;

Preferred to teach a school

Away from neighbour or friend,

Among dark skins, and there

Permit foul years to wear

Hidden from eyesight to the unnoticed end.

 

Before that end much had she ravelled out

From a discourse in figurative speech

By some learned Indian

On the soul’s journey. How it is whirled about

Wherever the orbit of the moon can reach,

Until it plunge into the sun;

And there, free and yet fast,

Being both Chance and Choice,

Forget its broken toys

And sink into its own delight at last.

 

I call MacGregor Mathers from his grave,

For in my first hard spring-time we were friends,

Although of late estranged.

I thought him half a lunatic, half knave,

And told him so, but friendship never ends;

And what if mind seem changed,

And it seem changed with the mind,

When thoughts rise up unbid

On generous things that he did

And I grow half contented to be blind!

 

He had much industry at setting out,

Much boisterous courage, before loneliness

Had driven him crazed;

For meditations upon unknown thought

Make human intercourse grow less and less;

They are neither paid nor praised.

But he’d object to the host,

The glass because my glass;

A ghost-lover he was

And may have grown more arrogant being a ghost.

 

But names are nothing. What matter who it be,

So that his elements have grown so fine

The fume of muscatel

Can give his sharpened palate ecstasy

No living man can drink from the whole wine.

I have mummy truths to tell

Whereat the living mock,

Though not for sober ear,

For maybe all that hear

Should laugh and weep an hour upon the clock.

 

Such thought—such thought have I that hold it tight

Till meditation master all its parts,

Nothing can stay my glance

Until that glance run in the world’s despite

To where the damned have howled away their hearts,

And where the blessed dance;

Such thought, that in it bound

I need no other thing,

Wound in mind’s wandering

As mummies in the mummy-cloth are wound.